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School Kitchen Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Kitchen Assistant

Holland, MI · On-site

$12.75 - $15.75/hr

Harbor Lights Middle School Date Available: August, 2026 Closing Date: Open until filled Notice of Support Staff Posting Position: Kitchen Assistant Posting # 4085 * Harbor Lights Middle School ...

Kitchen Assistant

Holland, MI · On-site

$12.75 - $15.75/hr

Kitchen Assistant Posting # 4069 * Macatawa Bay Middle School Posting Dates: July 22, 2026 Until Filled Reports To: Food Director Beginning: August, 2026 Hours: 25 hours per week Monday to Friday ...

Kitchen Assistant

Holland, MI · On-site

$12.75 - $15.75/hr

Macatawa Bay Middle School Date Available: August, 2026 Closing Date: Open until filled Notice of Support Staff Posting Position: Kitchen Assistant Posting # 4069 * Macatawa Bay Middle School Posting ...

Kitchen Assistant

Holland, MI

$12.75 - $15.75/hr

Kitchen Assistant Posting # 4023 * West Ottawa High School Posting Dates: June 9, 2026 Until Filled Reports To: Food Director Beginning: August 11, 2026 Hours: 20 hours per week Monday to Friday ...

Kitchen Assistant

Holland, MI · On-site

$12.75 - $15.75/hr

High School Campus Date Available: August 11, 2026 Closing Date: Open until filled Notice of Support Staff Posting Position: Kitchen Assistant Posting # 4023 * West Ottawa High School Posting Dates:

Kitchen Assistant

Staples, MN · On-site

$16.63/hr

Lindbergh Elementary School Date Available: 08/17/2026 District: Little Falls ISD 482 Little Falls Community School District is excited to announce a 6.5-hour Kitchen Assistant opening at Lindbergh ...

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School Kitchen Assistant information

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$8

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How much do school kitchen assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for school kitchen assistant in the United States is $15.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.46 and $16.59 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between School Kitchen Assistant vs School Cook?

AspectSchool Kitchen AssistantSchool Cook
CredentialsBasic food safety certification, on-the-job trainingFood safety certification, culinary skills, possibly culinary or nutrition qualifications
Work EnvironmentAssist in food prep, serve meals, clean kitchen areasPrepare, cook, and oversee meal production in school kitchens
Employer & IndustrySchools, educational institutionsSchools, educational institutions
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between a School Kitchen Assistant and a School Cook lies in their responsibilities and required skills. The School Kitchen Assistant primarily supports food prep, serving, and cleaning, often with minimal certifications. In contrast, the School Cook is responsible for preparing and cooking meals, often requiring culinary skills and certifications. Both roles work within school environments and are essential for student meal services, but the School Cook typically has a more advanced role in meal preparation.

What challenges do school kitchen assistants face and how can they be managed?

School kitchen assistants often face challenges such as working efficiently during busy lunch periods, maintaining strict food safety standards, and adapting to varying dietary needs among students. Effective management involves strong time-management skills, teamwork, and staying up to date with food hygiene training. Many schools offer on-the-job guidance and ongoing support to help kitchen assistants succeed, making it a great environment for those who enjoy a fast-paced, collaborative workplace.

What is a school kitchen assistant?

School kitchen assistants help prepare and serve food to students and staff in educational settings. Their duties typically include assisting with meal preparation, cleaning kitchen equipment, setting up serving areas, and ensuring food safety and hygiene standards are maintained. They may also help with receiving deliveries, storing supplies, and supporting cooks or chefs as needed. School kitchen assistants play a key role in providing nutritious meals and maintaining a clean, safe kitchen environment.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a school kitchen assistant?

To thrive as a School Kitchen Assistant, you generally need basic food preparation skills, knowledge of food hygiene, and sometimes a Level 2 Food Safety certificate. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, portion control systems, and cleaning protocols is often required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and good communication skills help you work efficiently and maintain a positive environment. These skills ensure that meals are prepared safely and efficiently, supporting students' health and the smooth operation of the school kitchen.
What cities are hiring for School Kitchen Assistant jobs? Cities with the most School Kitchen Assistant job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of School Kitchen jobs? The most popular types of School Kitchen jobs are:
What states have the most School Kitchen Assistant jobs? States with the most job openings for School Kitchen Assistant jobs include:

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

KITCHEN MANAGER - SECONDARY
POSITION SUMMARY
The Secondary Kitchen Manager is responsible for the positive promotion and operation of Meal services to Secondary Schools within the Nutrition Services Department of Federal Way School District. The position is responsible to fairly and efficiently assign staff to duties, supervise timely, safe and sanitary meal production and to serve quality food within an attractive meal service.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. Some incumbents may not perform all the duties listed while in other cases related duties may also be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.




  • Provide a positive, friendly, efficient and responsible meal service to the students and staff of the assigned building.  Work as a role model and leader of School Kitchen Assistant for quality service to all students.
  • Promote school lunch through advertising and promotions in the school.  Supply a wide variety of choices for all time periods that meals are served in school.
  • Coordinate meal service activities to support building activities and goals for students.  Collaborate with building representatives for quality meal service and student concerns surrounding meals.  Report activities and concerns to Supervisor in Central Kitchen on regular basis. Work cooperatively with the principal in scheduling serving times and in obtaining students to assist as helpers, and in the promotion of school meals.
  • Responsible to plan and assign work to School Kitchen Assistant and student helper and assumes major share of actual work. Perform a variety of duties in the serving of food to students and staff with related set up and clean-up work.
  • Operate a Point of Sale system utilizing computer keyboards or keypads, computer screens and printers and other equipment.  Maintain and operate equipment in good working order.  Operate manual meal service ticketing systems as needed.  Operate email and utilize daily communication.
  • Work cooperatively in processing free and reduced applications within department protocol.
  • Communicate and serve meals to students.  Assure confidentiality and dignity to all students for their meal status.  Provide positive, professional and friendly service.
  • Responsible that work of crew is completed within contracted time.  Responsible to notify supervisor of impediments to completing work of kitchen within contracted time.
  • Adhere to guidelines of the National School Lunch Program in the display, service and record keeping of meals and staff and in the operation of the school kitchen.  Monitor sales of foods and keep records. Responsible for accurate meal and cash reporting to Central Kitchen.  Follow department protocol in all meal service and accountability activities.
  • Maintain and display signage in the department for promotions, meal price and instructions in a clean and attractive manner.  Keep signs up to date and reflective of the items available for sale.  Order and maintain signs according to department protocol.  Provide and maintain attractive non- food displays at all stations, within allotted budget.
  • Check condition and accuracy of count of food or packaged lunches as received upon arrival, and use directed procedures for display, serving, heating, portioning and ordering needed food or supplies.
  • Maintain equipment and kitchen in a sanitary, clean and attractive condition.  Notify Central Kitchen, Maintenance and/or school custodian of necessary equipment repairs in timely manner, and in detail per department protocol.
  • Use proper safety standards in all aspects of preparation and serving of foods, use of supplies, operating equipment and clean-up work.
  • Communicate and report staff performance to Supervisors.
  • Attend all scheduled contracted meetings within the Nutrition Services Department.  Meet routinely for promotion and planning meetings with Supervisors.
  • Responsible for providing complete meal service with fully prepared and up to date kitchen dcor, signs and menus for the first day of school and after any school breaks.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Develop and maintain positive customer relations with staff and service providers.
  • Work collaboratively with District staff and promote teamwork with co-workers.
  • Federal Way School District requires employees to adhere and comply with the State of Washington and King County Department of Health food code.
  • Maintain confidentiality and professional ethics in all dealings concerning private or protected information.

The preceding list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience
High school diploma or equivalent
Current FWPS Employee or Guest Employee with Nutrition Services
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work scheduled hours on a consistent basis
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Past experience in a service industry serving the public
Working knowledge of basic computer applications
Past experience working as a lead worker in charge of a crew of staff
National School Lunch Program experience
Member ASFSA, WSFSA
CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:
Criminal background clearance
Possess and maintain a valid and current Food Handler's Permit
Adhere to attire protocol
Possess and maintain a valid Washington state driver's license
KNOWLEDGE OF:
School board policies and procedures
Basic mathematics and reading
ABILITY TO:
Continue professional growth
Organize and perform job responsibilities efficiently and independently with little or no close supervision and able to pay strict attention to detail
Speak, read and follow written or verbal communications in English
Practice effective safety and security within individual work routines
Develop and maintain positive customer relations with staff and service providers
Work collaboratively with District staff and promote teamwork with co-workers
Practice ethical and professional standards of conduct including the requirements of confidentiality
Relate effectively with parents, staff, students and the public in a multicultural and multiracial community
Function in a calm, efficient, courteous and professional manner with staff, students and others
Work with large food preparation systems
Organize and establish priorities to complete job responsibilities to meet deadlines
Direct and lead others to perform their job responsibilities at a high standard
Interact positively with a wide-range of temperaments and personalities
Maneuver self, carts and food/supplies within constrained kitchen environment with heavy equipment, tables and carts
Perform job responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodations
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES RELATED TO CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND EQUITY:
Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and how this influences behavior, and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others.
Ability to establish and nurture an environment that promotes cultural competence and equitable treatment of staff, students, and patrons of the District.
Ability to understand and hold self and others accountable for promoting the Federal Way Public Schools' commitment to "Each Scholar: A Voice. A Dream. A Bright Future." 
Ability to recognize that each person is a unique individual even as we celebrate their group cultural heritage.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will frequently stand and walk, bend neck and back, use hands for repetitive grasping and pushing/pulling. The employee will perform repetitive physical tasks involving lifting and hand movements such as scooping food or other activity.
The employee is frequently required to squat, stoop, kneel, and use hands for fine manipulation. The employee will occasionally be required to sit, lift and reach overhead, crawl, and lift/carry. The position also requires driving, hearing, speaking, writing, and keyboarding.
The employee must constantly lift/handle at least 40 pounds. The employee will occasionally lift/handle at least 50 lbs. The employee is occasionally required to push/pull carts weighing at least 400 lbs.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Position requires ability to work in low temperature environments such as walk in refrigerators or freezers, or work with food that is in a frozen or very hot state. Position also requires exposure to angry, frustrated, or aggressive individuals.
WORK SCHEDULE 
Work schedules are varied according to the available meal times of the building and may change according to building needs.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
Position reports to Assistant Director of Nutrition Services.
REPRESENTATION
Public School Employees Union (PSE) SEIU Local 1948
LEVEL OF COMPENSATION
Level C in the Nutrition Services Department on the PSE Salary Schedule. This position includes the following benefits prorated based on FTE Medical, dental vision, sick and vacation leave, life insurance, retirement.
CLASSIFICATION HISTORY
Update 07/2015
Disclaimer
The preceding list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.  The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the scope of responsibility and the level of knowledge and skills typically required, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements, skills or duties so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed.  
All employment open positions are made available on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or veteran status.
Job descriptions are written as a representative list of the ADA essential duties performed by the entire classification. They cannot include, and are not intended to include, every possible activity and task performed by every specific employee.
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